Apple Crisp

This is the easiest, tastiest recipe I've ever found...literally put together in a few minutes. The ginger is a perfect mate for the sweet apples, adding just a little zing. I doubled the crusty topping, since my family likes a thick crust on top of their fruit crisp. A great way to use up those apples around the house..I've substituted lots of different fruits for this..canned pears, fresh blueberries, even strawberries and peaches! Such a simple recipe.

Filling

6 cups diced apples (or your fruit of choice)
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp ginger
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp flour

Topping

1 cup flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

peel and chop your favorite apples..I used Fuji here

I used Sunmaid mixed extra-large raisins..added a sweet pop of flavor

spices, flour and brown sugar are all that's needed to compliment sweet apples

Mix filling together in bowl, put in a 13x9 greased pan and bake at 350 degrees for 10 min. While filling bakes, put together topping....

Mix dry ingredients well. Cut in cold butter until you get pea-sized crumbs (I like to use my hands, so you get big chunks). Sprinkle over hot filling and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until browned. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream for a special treat!

all baked up and ready to eat!

Pear Strudel

This flaky, sweet treat is easy to make and looks super fancy. You can use what fruit is in season..I usually use apples, but had pears on hand, which made this succulent and tender on the inside. Mixed with raisins and spices, it's the perfect fall dessert. Here's what you'll need:

3 c sliced pears (or apples)
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 c raisins
1 c chopped walnuts (or pecans)
1 pkg phyllo dough
1.5 c butter, melted
1.5 c bread crumbs
2 Tbsp butter
8 oz cream cheese

Mix sliced pears with cinnamon, sugar, lemon juice, raisins and chopped nuts. Set aside.

mix w/ raisins, spices and nuts

Take the bread crumbs, 2 Tbsp butter and cream cheese- cook in a sauce pan for 10 minutes and set aside.


Begin working w/ phyllo- put 2 phyllo sheets on a towel and brush with melted butter. Continue doing this every 2 layers until you have around 8 layers (16 sheets) done. Scoop half of pear mixture onto the short end of the dough, then drop half the bread crumb mixture by tablespoonfuls over the filling.

pile half of filling on short end of phyllo


Lifting your towel, roll tightly. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon and sugar and place on greased baking sheet...pinch edges to seal.

roll tightly.. I sprinkled a little extra bread crumbs and cinnamon and sugar on top

Repeat to make a second strudel. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes or until lightly brown. If you want, drizzle with a little icing over them and let cool.

a little sweet glaze to finish them off

Using phyllo cuts the time usually needed in making a proper strudel dough..but tastes just as decadent! This was very easy to make and gotten eaten up very quickly around here, which means it was a success!